Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Landmark Forest Adventure Park is one of Scotland's most celebrated family attractions, situated in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park near the village of Carrbridge in Strathspey. Spread across 70 acres of ancient Caledonian pine forest, it occupies a landscape of striking natural beauty and offers a remarkable blend of outdoor adventure, natural heritage, and themed entertainment. It draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and is widely regarded as one of the finest adventure parks in the United Kingdom, earning consistent recognition for the quality and diversity of its activities. For families with children of almost any age, it represents one of the most immersive and memorable days out available anywhere in the Scottish Highlands.
The site itself has deep roots in the ancient forest that once blanketed much of the Scottish Highlands. The Caledonian pines that grow here are descendants of the original wildwood that colonised Scotland after the last Ice Age, and some of the trees on the estate are several hundred years old. The park was established in 1970 by the Landmark Trust (a Scottish charitable organisation distinct from the English preservation charity of the same name), initially as a heritage and wildlife attraction that sought to interpret and celebrate this exceptional natural environment. Over subsequent decades it evolved steadily into the adventure-focused destination it is today, though its woodland setting and its commitment to celebrating Scottish natural heritage have remained central to its identity throughout.
The physical experience of visiting Landmark is dominated by the presence of the ancient pines — tall, rust-barked Scots pines with sweeping canopies that filter the Highland light into something amber and diffuse. The forest floor is carpeted with heather, bilberry and soft moss, and the smell of pine resin is pervasive and deeply evocative. The sounds of the park mix the natural — wind through branches, birdsong, the occasional red squirrel chattering overhead — with the laughter and excitement of children navigating rope bridges, zip wires, and adventure towers. The most iconic structure is the Treezone, a vast aerial assault course built into and around the mature pines, which offers an extraordinary perspective on the forest canopy. There is also a giant flume ride, a steam-powered sawmill demonstration, an interactive wildfire experience, and a parapedalling descent that sends riders gliding across the treetops.
The surrounding landscape is quintessential Strathspey — broad, relatively flat river valley framed by the rounded, heather-clad shoulders of the Cairngorm massif to the east and the hills above Dava to the west. Carrbridge, the nearest settlement, sits just a kilometre or two from the park and is famous in its own right for the Packhorse Bridge, a graceful single-arch stone bridge dating to 1717 that is thought to be the oldest surviving stone bridge in the Highlands. The River Dulnain flows nearby, and the wider area is renowned for wildlife including ospreys, red kites, capercaillie, red squirrels, and red deer. Aviemore, the main resort town in the Cairngorms, is only about ten kilometres to the south and offers a wide range of accommodation, restaurants and additional attractions.
Getting to Landmark is straightforward from most directions. The A938 passes close to the site, and there is ample free parking on arrival. Carrbridge station on the Inverness–London main line is within easy walking distance, making the park accessible for visitors travelling by train — a genuinely unusual amenity for a rural Scottish attraction of this kind. The park is typically open from late March through to late October, with peak season running through July and August when the full range of activities is operational. It is worth arriving early in the day during high season, as the most popular rides and the Treezone in particular can develop queues by mid-morning. The admission price is all-inclusive, covering unlimited access to all rides and activities, which represents good value given how much is on offer.
One of the more fascinating aspects of Landmark is its commitment to red squirrel conservation. The surrounding Caledonian forest is one of the last strongholds in the UK for the native red squirrel, and the park actively supports local conservation efforts. Visitors with a quiet eye will frequently spot red squirrels moving through the pines, particularly early in the morning or in the quieter shoulder months of April, May or September. The park has also long maintained a replica of a Victorian-era Highland township and various interpretive features exploring the history of the forest and its human inhabitants, offering a layer of cultural depth that distinguishes it from more purely commercial adventure parks. The combination of genuine ancient woodland, high-quality thrills and a thoughtful engagement with the natural and cultural heritage of the Highlands makes Landmark a place that lingers in the memory long after the visit is over.